Steve Clarke: 'We are desperate to bounce back'

Reading boss Steve Clarke has revealed that his side are "desperate" to bounce back from their midweek defeat in the Championship in their FA Cup fifth-round clash against Derby County.

The Royals slipped to a 2-0 loss to Leeds United at the Madejski Stadium as they spurned a good opportunity to put distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

However, Clarke is adamant that the team are determined to atone for their display by reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"I know the players were disappointed with the result on Tuesday night and they are desperate to make amends this weekend," Clarke told the club's official website.

"We go to Derby in a good frame of mind, ready to bounce back. The players are up for it, and the manager is up for it as well so we look forward to going there and having a right go at them and trying to progress.

"We're certainly one of the underdogs. It's been a cup of shocks so far this season, and if we went to Derby and win it would be classed as a small shock."

Reading have lost both of their matches against Derby this season.